Alex1994

I am nearing 3 years of not drinking. I have been having dreams that include me drinking again. Is this normal?

Crimki

Completely normal. What is important is how you interpret the dream. Having thoughts or urges related to the dream could be you romanticizing your past. I would reflect on how the dream made me feel and how you are interpreting the dream. Honest reflection. However, relapse dreams are very common in people who abstain from their drug of choice. It's researched in substance use treatment. I would take a look at some of the research on it. Good luck and Keep going!

Alex1994

[these dreams started when I broke up with my girlfriend. I never went to any groups nor had any therapy to stop drinking . I am having strong self doubts.UOTE=Crimki;6800838]Completely normal. What is important is how you interpret the dream. Having thoughts or urges related to the dream could be you romanticizing your past. I would reflect on how the dream made me feel and how you are interpreting the dream. Honest reflection. However, relapse dreams are very common in people who abstain from their drug of choice. It's researched in substance use treatment. I would take a look at some of the research on it. Good luck and Keep going![/QUOTE]

Alex1994

i have done a lot of research on this and i believe it could lead to relapse. What can I do?

Alex1994

Having strong doubts. Could it be that I am lonely?

Alex1994

I am interpreting the dream to mean that I want a drink. Could the fact that i am lonely be confusing me?

Dee74

Hi Alex

I've been happily and securely sober ten years and I still have the occasional drinking dream.

I don't really go in for dream analysis or the idea that dreams are necessarily the manifestation of our subconscious - I dreamt of high school for many years and I have no desire to go back there

Is there any thing else worrying you about your recovery apart from the dreams?

D

Alex1994

I am a very decisive person and I find myself unsure when I make decisions. It is not me.

Dee74

I guess its worthwhile thinking about if anything recently has got you suddenly so unsure and indecisive?

Do you have a doctor, counsellor or therapist you could discuss this with?

D

Alex1994

Some failures have led me feel i am not as good as I was

Alex1994

I am old school. I do not go to therapists

Alex1994

I am overthinking things to much. I know I am but I still do it.

Alex1994

Too

Alex1994

You have been sober for 10 years dee. I have read that if you hold out for 5 years you are in a very strong position not to drink again. Is that true?

Dee74

I can only speak for myself Alex - but there's been some studies that suggest that yeah.

If it helps I feel sure I'll never drink again.
I've changed too much from who I used to be

D

Alex1994

It sure helps dee. In what year did you realize that?

Alex1994

What year did you realize that you were sure you would never drink again dee?

Dee74

I felt pretty secure from year 2 Alex but I think I knew for certain when I moved back to my hometown in 2014 and met up again with old mates who were still drinking and toking. I just wasn't interested - and haven't been interested 4 years on.

That was year 6/7 for me so maybe there's something to that 5 year thing I dunno.

sorry for the delay in reply - I'm on Australian time
D

tomsteve

dreams are dreams. they wont become reality unless you allow them. reads like your lookin for and excuse to drink and something to blame if you choose to drink.

ive had dreams of steak breakfast. i had a bowl of cereal.

tomsteve

studies are studies and only cover an extremely minute quantity of people that stopped drinking.